Miami Dade College Students Lead the Way in 2019 All-Florida Academic Team

Miami, April 10, 2019 – Miami Dade College (MDC) students were recently recognized in Orlando during an awards ceremony for being named to the 2019 All-Florida Academic Team.  Sponsored by the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK), the team recognizes outstanding students for their academic achievement, leadership and service to the community.

Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of community college students and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.5 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 10 nations.

Alejandro Garcia, PTK President at MDC’s InterAmerican Campus, made PTK history by becoming the second member awarded the Hites Transfer Scholarship, All-USA Academic Team, and New Century Transfer Pathway scholarship.  He was also awarded to the All Florida Academic Team.  The Hites Transfer Scholarship is the society’s most prestigious and largest scholarship offering at $7,500.  The scholarship is awarded to Phi Theta Kappa members who are preparing to transfer to a bachelor’s degree-granting college or university. Winners were selected from among 2,800 applicants nationwide for their outstanding academic achievement and rigor, leadership accomplishments, and engagement in college and community activities.  He was also named National and Regional Distinguished Officer,

The Guistwhite Scholarship, the second-highest scholarship offered by Phi Theta Kappa, was awarded to Victor Garnica of MDC’s Hialeah Campus.  He will receive $5,000 scholarship for baccalaureate studies. Winners were selected from among 2,000 applicants nationwide, and their selection was based on academic excellence, leadership accomplishments, and engagement in Phi Theta Kappa programs.

MDC’s Homestead and InterAmerican campuses were also awarded the PTK Hallmark Award for Distinguished Honors in Action Project.  Members have opportunities to apply learning and practice real-world problem-solving by developing an in-depth, action-oriented project related to research.

Following are PTK students who have been recognized for their academic achievements:

Wolfson Campus

Claudia Gandara                       All-Florida Academic Team

Ana Lian                                   Coca-Cola Leader of Promise and Florida Academic Scholar

Leandro Mirabal                        All Florida Academic Team

InterAmerican Campus

Hansel Caudales                       All Florida Academic Team

Alejandro Garcia                        All Florida Academic Team, All-USA Academic Team, Hites Transfer Scholarship and New Century Transfer Pathway Scholar

Kendall Campus

Maria Samboni                          All-Florida Academic Team and Coca-Cola Academic Team Silver Scholar

Genesis Saenz                          All-Florida Academic Team and All-USA Academic Team

Hialeah Campus

Rafael Aldaya Bourricaudy         All Florida Academic Team

Victor Garnica                           Guistwhite Scholarship

Wendy Rodriguez                      All Florida Academic Team

Homestead Campus

Dejha Morgan                           All Florida Academic Team

Anastasia Murphy                      All Florida Academic Team

West Campus

Beatriz Circelli Baietti                 All Florida Academic Team

North Campus

Albert Hernandez                       All Florida Academic Team

Anastasia Koneva                     All Florida Academic Team